US20170028957A1 - Cushion for driver airbag apparatus - Google Patents
Cushion for driver airbag apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170028957A1 US20170028957A1 US15/211,882 US201615211882A US2017028957A1 US 20170028957 A1 US20170028957 A1 US 20170028957A1 US 201615211882 A US201615211882 A US 201615211882A US 2017028957 A1 US2017028957 A1 US 2017028957A1
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- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- cushion
- panel
- gas
- driver
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R21/203—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns
- B60R21/2035—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns using modules containing inflator, bag and cover attachable to the steering wheel as a complete sub-unit
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R21/203—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/23—Inflatable members
- B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
- B60R21/233—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/23—Inflatable members
- B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
- B60R21/2334—Expansion control features
- B60R21/2338—Tethers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/23—Inflatable members
- B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
- B60R21/233—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other
- B60R2021/23324—Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/23—Inflatable members
- B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
- B60R21/2334—Expansion control features
- B60R21/2338—Tethers
- B60R2021/23382—Internal tether means
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus, and more particularly, to a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus, which is capable of preventing an injury of a driver.
- a driver airbag of a vehicle is a device which can momentarily inflate an air cushion between a driver and a steering wheel when a vehicle crashes, thereby reducing an injury caused by a shock.
- the driver airbag includes an inflator which generates gas and a cushion which is expanded and deployed toward a driver seat by the generated gas.
- Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus, which is capable of stably reducing an injury in neck of a driver when an AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) system is operated.
- AEB Autonomous Emergency Braking
- a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus may include: a cushion body deployed between a steering wheel and a driver, and including a front chamber contacted with the steering wheel and a rear chamber coming in contact with the driver; a middle panel installed in the cushion body so as to divide the front chamber and the rear chamber, and having an inner vent hole through which gas is introduced from the front chamber to the rear chamber; and an internal tether arranged in the front chamber, and restricting the backward movement of the middle panel such that the middle panel forms a concave shape in the forward direction when the cushion is deployed.
- the cushion body may include: a front panel contacted with the steering wheel, and having an outer vent hole through which gas in the front chamber is discharged to the outside; and a rear panel arranged at the rear of the front panel, and facing the driver.
- the middle panel may be arranged between the front panel and the rear panel.
- the edge portions of the front panel, the middle panel and the rear panel may be connected to each other in a state where the front panel, the middle panel and the rear panel are sequentially overlapped.
- the front chamber may include: a gas buffering chamber to which gas is introduced from an inflator; and a flow stabilization chamber to which the gas in the gas buffering chamber is distributed and introduced.
- the cushion body may include a deployment pressure distribution panel installed in the front chamber so as to divide the gas buffering chamber and the flow stabilization chamber.
- the deployment pressure distribution panel may have a plurality of distribution holes formed therein, and the gas in the gas buffering chamber may be introduced into the flow stabilization chamber through the distribution holes.
- the internal tether may include: an extension portion arranged in the front chamber, and extended in the forward and backward direction; a front connection portion formed at the front of the extension portion, and coupled to the cushion body; and a rear connection portion formed at the rear of the extension portion, and coupled to the middle panel.
- the extension portion may have an adjustable length.
- the internal tether may be positioned at the middle portion of the front chamber, and the inner vent hole may be formed at both sides of the front chamber with the internal tether interposed therebetween.
- the front chamber and the rear chamber may be sequentially deployed.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the installation position and deployment shape of a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, before the cushion is deployed.
- FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the deployment shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when an AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) system is operated.
- AEB Autonomous Emergency Braking
- FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the deployment shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when a general vehicle crash occurs.
- an electronic control module operates the inflator to rapidly generate gas, and the cushion is deployed toward the driver by the generated gas.
- the deployed cushion partially absorbs a shock load caused by the crash while coming in contact with the upper body of the driver. Then, when the upper body of the driver collides with the expanded cushion, the gas in the cushion serves as a buffer while being rapidly discharged through a discharge hole formed in the cushion.
- the driver airbag is designed to come in contact with the driver's head which is tilted forward in a state where the cushion is completely deployed, when the vehicle crashes.
- AEB Automatic Emergency Braking
- the head of the driver may be more rapidly tilted forward, and thus come in contact with the cushion before the cushion is completely deployed.
- the head of the driver may be tilted backward while the airbag cushion is successively expanded. In this case, the driver may get injured in the neck.
- AEB Automatic Emergency Braking
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the installation position and deployment shape of a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, before the cushion is deployed.
- FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the deployment shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when an AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) system is operated
- FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the deployment shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when a general vehicle crash occurs.
- AEB Autonomous Emergency Braking
- a driver airbag apparatus 1 to which the cushion 3 for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment is applied may be installed in a steering wheel 4 positioned in front of a driver 5 .
- an inflator 2 coupled to the steering wheel 4 may be operated, and the cushion 3 for the driver airbag apparatus 1 in accordance with the present embodiment may be deployed backward toward the driver 5 and support the upper body of the driver 5 , which is tilted forward.
- the cushion 3 for the driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may include a cushion body 10 , a middle panel 20 and an internal tether 30 .
- the cushion body 10 may receive gas from the inflator 2 when the vehicle crashes, and form an air cushion which buffers a shock while being inflated.
- the cushion body 10 in accordance with the present embodiment may include a front chamber 11 and a rear chamber 14 which are arranged in the forward and backward direction.
- the cushion body 10 may be deployed between the steering wheel 4 and the upper body of the driver 5 .
- the middle panel 20 may be installed in the cushion body 10 so as to divide the front chamber 11 and the rear chamber 14 .
- the front chamber 11 and the rear chamber 14 may be divided by the middle panel 20 , and sequentially deployed in order of the front chamber 11 and the rear chamber 14 .
- the middle panel 20 may have an inner vent hole 21 formed therein, the inner vent hole 21 forming a path through which gas of the front chamber 11 can be introduced into the rear chamber 14 .
- the internal tether 30 may serve to restrict the middle panel 20 from moving backward, such that the middle panel 20 forms a concave shape in the forward direction when the cushion body 10 is deployed.
- the internal tether 30 may be arranged in the front chamber 11 , and installed across the front chamber 11 in the forward and backward direction.
- the internal tether 30 may be installed at the middle portion of the front chamber 11 or particularly a position corresponding to the head of the driver 5 .
- the internal tether 30 may restrict the middle portion of the middle panel 20 from freely moving backward, and the middle portion of the middle panel 20 may be positioned further forward than both side portions or edge of the middle panel 20 .
- the middle portion of the middle panel 20 may form a concave shape in the forward direction.
- the middle panel 20 may form a concave shape in the forward direction, when the front chamber 11 is deployed.
- the rear chamber 14 may be initially deployed in a shape corresponding to the concave shape of the middle panel 20 or a concave shape corresponding to the head of the driver 5 .
- the head of the driver 5 may be more rapidly tilted forward than when a general vehicle crash occurs. At this time, the head of the driver 5 may face the rear chamber 14 forming a concave shape in the forward direction.
- the cushion body 10 may not be yet completely deployed.
- a part of the rear chamber 14 may be deployed or the front chamber 11 may not be completely deployed.
- the head of the driver 5 can be prevented from coming in direct contact with the cushion body 10 when the AEB system is operated.
- momentary pressure may be applied to the head of the driver 5 due to backslap of the cushion body 10 , thereby preventing a break of the neck of the driver 5 .
- momentary pressure may be applied to the head of the driver 5 due to backslap of the cushion body 10 , thereby preventing a break of the neck of the driver 5 .
- it is possible to reduce the injury in neck of the driver 5 which may occur when the AEB system is operated.
- the upper body of the driver 5 When a general vehicle crash occurs, the upper body of the driver 5 may come in contact with the cushion body 10 in a state where the front chamber 11 and the rear chamber 14 are deployed as illustrated in FIG. 4 . At this time, the middle portion of the rear chamber 14 may form a convex shape in the backward direction. When a general vehicle crash occurs, the upper body of the driver 5 may be loaded on the cushion body 10 while being tilted forward, and buffered and supported by the retention force and cushion force of the front and rear chambers 11 and 14 .
- the cushion body 10 in accordance with the present embodiment may include a front panel 110 , a deployment pressure distribution panel 120 and a rear panel 130 .
- the front panel 110 may form the front portion of the cushion body 10 , facing the steering wheel 4 .
- the rear panel 130 may form the rear portion of the cushion body 10 , facing the driver 5 .
- the rear panel 130 may be arranged at the rear of the front panel 110 with the middle panel 20 interposed therebetween.
- the edge portions of the front panel 110 , the middle panel 20 and the rear panel 130 may be connected to each other through sewing in a state where the front panel 110 , the middle panel 20 and the rear panel 130 are sequentially overlapped, thereby forming the front chamber 11 and the rear chamber 14 .
- the front chamber 11 and the rear chamber 14 may be arranged in the forward and backward direction while being inflated in a discus shape.
- the gas supplied from the inflator 2 may be introduced into the front chamber 11 , and the front chamber 11 may be deployed prior to the rear chamber 14 .
- the front chamber 11 may support a load applied to the rear chamber 14 at the front.
- the weight of the driver 5 may be primarily applied to the rear chamber 14 , and the forward force applied to the rear chamber 14 may be secondarily applied to the front chamber 11 .
- Such an action can more stably secure a cushion force for protecting the driver 5 from a shock force than when the cushion body 10 includes one chamber.
- the front chamber 11 in accordance with the present embodiment may include a gas buffering chamber 12 and a flow stabilization chamber 13 .
- the gas buffering chamber 12 may form a space to which the gas discharged from the inflator 2 is primarily introduced.
- the flow stabilization chamber 13 may form a space to which the gas buffered in the gas buffering chamber 12 is distributed and introduced, while being in contact with the rear chamber 14 .
- the deployment pressure distribution panel 120 may be installed between the gas buffering chamber 12 and the flow stabilization chamber 13 .
- the gas may be discharged in a specific direction from a specific position of the inflator 2 .
- the gas which is non-uniformly introduced into the gas buffering chamber 12 may be diffused into the gas buffering chamber 12 while blocked and buffered by the deployment pressure distribution panel 120 .
- the gas buffered and diffused in the gas buffering chamber 12 may be introduced to the flow stabilization chamber 13 through a plurality of distribution holes 121 formed in the deployment pressure distribution panel 120 . Since the gas in the gas buffering chamber 12 is distributed through the plurality of distribution holes 121 and introduced into the flow stabilization chamber 13 , the gas flow into the flow stabilization chamber 13 may not be concentrated on one side, but uniformly performed across the entire connection portion to the deployment pressure distribution panel 120 .
- the deployment pressure distribution panel 120 may be installed in the front chamber 11 so as to divide the gas buffering chamber 12 and the flow stabilization chamber 13 .
- the plurality of distribution holes 121 formed through the deployment pressure distribution panel 120 may serve as paths through which the gas in the gas buffering chamber 12 is introduced into the flow stabilization chamber 13 .
- the gas in the gas buffering chamber 12 may be uniformly distributed through the plurality of distribution holes 121 and introduced into the flow stabilization chamber 13 .
- the gas in the flow stabilization chamber 13 may flow to the rear chamber 14 through the inner vent hole 21 formed in the middle panel 20 .
- the internal tether 30 in accordance with the present embodiment may be connected to the middle portion of the middle panel 20 , and the plurality of inner vent holes 21 may be distributed and formed at both sides or edge of the front chamber 11 with the internal tether 30 interposed therebetween. The number and width of the inner vent holes 21 may be adjusted to control the deployment speed and contraction speed of the rear chamber 14 .
- the gas flow from the front chamber 11 to the rear chamber 14 may be preferentially performed at the edge portion of the middle panel 20 before the concave portion of the middle panel 20 , and the edge portion of the rear chamber 14 may be preferentially deployed before the middle portion of the rear chamber 14 .
- the deployment shape of the rear chamber 14 may be stabilized to form a concave shape in the forward direction.
- the flow pressure of the gas introduced into the rear chamber 14 can be prevented from being directly applied to the head of the driver 5 .
- the front panel 110 may have outer vent holes 111 through which the gas in the cushion body 10 is discharged to the outside.
- the gas in the front chamber 11 may serve as a buffer while being rapidly discharged through the outer vent holes 111 .
- the number and width of the outer vent holes 111 may be adjusted to control the contraction speed of the cushion body 10 .
- the outer vent holes 111 may be formed in the flow stabilization chamber 13 of the front panel 110 , which makes it possible to prevent the gas in the cushion body 10 from being discharging toward the driver 5 .
- the internal tether 30 in accordance with the present embodiment may include an extension portion 31 , a front connection portion 32 and a rear connection portion 33 .
- the extension portion 31 may be formed in a string or panel shape to cross the front chamber 11 in the forward and backward direction.
- the front connection portion 32 for connecting the extension portion 31 to the cushion body 10 may be formed at the front of the extension portion 31 and coupled to the deployment pressure distribution panel 120 .
- the rear connection portion 33 for connecting the extension portion 31 to the middle panel 20 may be formed at the rear of the extension portion 31 and coupled to the middle portion of the middle panel 20 .
- the length of the extension portion 31 may be adjusted to control the concaveness of the middle portion of the middle panel 20 .
- the extension portion 31 may be extended to decrease the degree in concaveness of the middle panel 20 , or shortened to increase the degree in concaveness of the middle panel 20 .
- the concaveness of the middle panel 20 may be suitably controlled according to the behavior of the driver 5 , which is differently simulated depending on the vehicle model or specification.
- the cushion body 10 deployed between the steering wheel 4 and the driver 5 may be divided into the front chamber 11 and the rear chamber 14 , and the internal tether 30 which divides the front chamber 11 and the rear chamber 14 may restrict the backward motion of the middle portion of the middle panel 20 .
- the portion of the middle panel 20 corresponding to the head of the driver 5 , may form a concave shape in the forward direction.
- the rear chamber 14 may be initially deployed in a concave shape corresponding to the middle panel 20 .
- the cushion 3 for the driver airbag apparatus 1 can stably reduce an injury in neck of the driver 5 , which may occur when the head of the driver 5 is tilted backward while coming in direct contact with the cushion body 10 .
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Abstract
A cushion for a driver airbag apparatus may include: a cushion body deployed between a steering wheel and a driver, and including a front chamber contacted with the steering wheel and a rear chamber coming in contact with the driver; a middle panel installed in the cushion body so as to divide the front chamber and the rear chamber, and having an inner vent hole through which gas is introduced from the front chamber to the rear chamber; and an internal tether arranged in the front chamber, and restricting the backward movement of the middle panel such that the middle panel forms a concave shape in the forward direction when the cushion is deployed.
Description
- The present application claims priority to Korean application number 10-2015-0107446, filed on Jul. 29, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The present disclosure relates to a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus, and more particularly, to a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus, which is capable of preventing an injury of a driver.
- In general, a driver airbag of a vehicle is a device which can momentarily inflate an air cushion between a driver and a steering wheel when a vehicle crashes, thereby reducing an injury caused by a shock. The driver airbag includes an inflator which generates gas and a cushion which is expanded and deployed toward a driver seat by the generated gas.
- The related technology is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2007-0042262 published on Apr. 23, 2007 and entitled “Structure of driver airbag cushion”.
- Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus, which is capable of stably reducing an injury in neck of a driver when an AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) system is operated.
- In one embodiment, a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus may include: a cushion body deployed between a steering wheel and a driver, and including a front chamber contacted with the steering wheel and a rear chamber coming in contact with the driver; a middle panel installed in the cushion body so as to divide the front chamber and the rear chamber, and having an inner vent hole through which gas is introduced from the front chamber to the rear chamber; and an internal tether arranged in the front chamber, and restricting the backward movement of the middle panel such that the middle panel forms a concave shape in the forward direction when the cushion is deployed.
- The cushion body may include: a front panel contacted with the steering wheel, and having an outer vent hole through which gas in the front chamber is discharged to the outside; and a rear panel arranged at the rear of the front panel, and facing the driver.
- The middle panel may be arranged between the front panel and the rear panel.
- The edge portions of the front panel, the middle panel and the rear panel may be connected to each other in a state where the front panel, the middle panel and the rear panel are sequentially overlapped.
- The front chamber may include: a gas buffering chamber to which gas is introduced from an inflator; and a flow stabilization chamber to which the gas in the gas buffering chamber is distributed and introduced.
- The cushion body may include a deployment pressure distribution panel installed in the front chamber so as to divide the gas buffering chamber and the flow stabilization chamber.
- The deployment pressure distribution panel may have a plurality of distribution holes formed therein, and the gas in the gas buffering chamber may be introduced into the flow stabilization chamber through the distribution holes.
- The internal tether may include: an extension portion arranged in the front chamber, and extended in the forward and backward direction; a front connection portion formed at the front of the extension portion, and coupled to the cushion body; and a rear connection portion formed at the rear of the extension portion, and coupled to the middle panel.
- The extension portion may have an adjustable length.
- The internal tether may be positioned at the middle portion of the front chamber, and the inner vent hole may be formed at both sides of the front chamber with the internal tether interposed therebetween.
- When gas is supplied to the cushion body from an inflator, the front chamber and the rear chamber may be sequentially deployed.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the installation position and deployment shape of a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, before the cushion is deployed. -
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the deployment shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when an AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) system is operated. -
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the deployment shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when a general vehicle crash occurs. - Embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not to precise scale and may be exaggerated in thickness of lines or sizes of components for descriptive convenience and clarity only.
- Furthermore, the terms as used herein are defined by taking functions of the invention into account and can be changed according to the custom or intention of users or operators. Therefore, definition of the terms should be made according to the overall disclosures set forth herein.
- Generally, when a shock is sensed by a shock sensor in case where a vehicle crashes, an electronic control module operates the inflator to rapidly generate gas, and the cushion is deployed toward the driver by the generated gas. The deployed cushion partially absorbs a shock load caused by the crash while coming in contact with the upper body of the driver. Then, when the upper body of the driver collides with the expanded cushion, the gas in the cushion serves as a buffer while being rapidly discharged through a discharge hole formed in the cushion.
- The driver airbag is designed to come in contact with the driver's head which is tilted forward in a state where the cushion is completely deployed, when the vehicle crashes. However, when the vehicle is suddenly braked through an AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) operation, the head of the driver may be more rapidly tilted forward, and thus come in contact with the cushion before the cushion is completely deployed. Then, the head of the driver may be tilted backward while the airbag cushion is successively expanded. In this case, the driver may get injured in the neck. Thus, there is a demand for a structure capable of solving such a problem.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the installation position and deployment shape of a cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, before the cushion is deployed. -
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the deployment shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when an AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) system is operated, andFIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the deployment shape of the cushion for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, when a general vehicle crash occurs. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , adriver airbag apparatus 1 to which thecushion 3 for a driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment is applied may be installed in asteering wheel 4 positioned in front of adriver 5. When the vehicle crashes or the AEB system is operated, aninflator 2 coupled to thesteering wheel 4 may be operated, and thecushion 3 for thedriver airbag apparatus 1 in accordance with the present embodiment may be deployed backward toward thedriver 5 and support the upper body of thedriver 5, which is tilted forward. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , thecushion 3 for the driver airbag apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may include acushion body 10, amiddle panel 20 and aninternal tether 30. - The
cushion body 10 may receive gas from theinflator 2 when the vehicle crashes, and form an air cushion which buffers a shock while being inflated. Thecushion body 10 in accordance with the present embodiment may include afront chamber 11 and arear chamber 14 which are arranged in the forward and backward direction. Thecushion body 10 may be deployed between thesteering wheel 4 and the upper body of thedriver 5. - The
middle panel 20 may be installed in thecushion body 10 so as to divide thefront chamber 11 and therear chamber 14. Thefront chamber 11 and therear chamber 14 may be divided by themiddle panel 20, and sequentially deployed in order of thefront chamber 11 and therear chamber 14. Themiddle panel 20 may have aninner vent hole 21 formed therein, theinner vent hole 21 forming a path through which gas of thefront chamber 11 can be introduced into therear chamber 14. - The
internal tether 30 may serve to restrict themiddle panel 20 from moving backward, such that themiddle panel 20 forms a concave shape in the forward direction when thecushion body 10 is deployed. Theinternal tether 30 may be arranged in thefront chamber 11, and installed across thefront chamber 11 in the forward and backward direction. Theinternal tether 30 may be installed at the middle portion of thefront chamber 11 or particularly a position corresponding to the head of thedriver 5. - When the
cushion body 10 is deployed, theinternal tether 30 may restrict the middle portion of themiddle panel 20 from freely moving backward, and the middle portion of themiddle panel 20 may be positioned further forward than both side portions or edge of themiddle panel 20. Thus, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 , the middle portion of themiddle panel 20 may form a concave shape in the forward direction. - As described above, the
middle panel 20 may form a concave shape in the forward direction, when thefront chamber 11 is deployed. After thefront chamber 11 is deployed, therear chamber 14 may be initially deployed in a shape corresponding to the concave shape of themiddle panel 20 or a concave shape corresponding to the head of thedriver 5. When the AEB system is operated, the head of thedriver 5 may be more rapidly tilted forward than when a general vehicle crash occurs. At this time, the head of thedriver 5 may face therear chamber 14 forming a concave shape in the forward direction. - While the upper body of the
driver 5 is rapidly tilted forward by the operation of the AEB system, thecushion body 10 may not be yet completely deployed. In embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 3 , a part of therear chamber 14 may be deployed or thefront chamber 11 may not be completely deployed. As therear chamber 14 is induced to be initially deployed in a concave shape to the front, the head of thedriver 5 can be prevented from coming in direct contact with thecushion body 10 when the AEB system is operated. - Thus, when the AEB system is operated, momentary pressure may be applied to the head of the
driver 5 due to backslap of thecushion body 10, thereby preventing a break of the neck of thedriver 5. Thus, it is possible to reduce the injury in neck of thedriver 5, which may occur when the AEB system is operated. - When a general vehicle crash occurs, the upper body of the
driver 5 may come in contact with thecushion body 10 in a state where thefront chamber 11 and therear chamber 14 are deployed as illustrated inFIG. 4 . At this time, the middle portion of therear chamber 14 may form a convex shape in the backward direction. When a general vehicle crash occurs, the upper body of thedriver 5 may be loaded on thecushion body 10 while being tilted forward, and buffered and supported by the retention force and cushion force of the front andrear chambers - Referring to
FIG. 2 , thecushion body 10 in accordance with the present embodiment may include afront panel 110, a deploymentpressure distribution panel 120 and arear panel 130. - The
front panel 110 may form the front portion of thecushion body 10, facing thesteering wheel 4. Therear panel 130 may form the rear portion of thecushion body 10, facing thedriver 5. Therear panel 130 may be arranged at the rear of thefront panel 110 with themiddle panel 20 interposed therebetween. The edge portions of thefront panel 110, themiddle panel 20 and therear panel 130 may be connected to each other through sewing in a state where thefront panel 110, themiddle panel 20 and therear panel 130 are sequentially overlapped, thereby forming thefront chamber 11 and therear chamber 14. - When the
cushion body 10 is deployed, thefront chamber 11 and therear chamber 14 may be arranged in the forward and backward direction while being inflated in a discus shape. The gas supplied from theinflator 2 may be introduced into thefront chamber 11, and thefront chamber 11 may be deployed prior to therear chamber 14. - When the vehicle crashes or the AEB system is operated, the
front chamber 11 may support a load applied to therear chamber 14 at the front. The weight of thedriver 5 may be primarily applied to therear chamber 14, and the forward force applied to therear chamber 14 may be secondarily applied to thefront chamber 11. Such an action can more stably secure a cushion force for protecting thedriver 5 from a shock force than when thecushion body 10 includes one chamber. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , thefront chamber 11 in accordance with the present embodiment may include agas buffering chamber 12 and aflow stabilization chamber 13. Thegas buffering chamber 12 may form a space to which the gas discharged from theinflator 2 is primarily introduced. Theflow stabilization chamber 13 may form a space to which the gas buffered in thegas buffering chamber 12 is distributed and introduced, while being in contact with therear chamber 14. - Between the
gas buffering chamber 12 and theflow stabilization chamber 13, the deploymentpressure distribution panel 120 may be installed. The gas may be discharged in a specific direction from a specific position of theinflator 2. The gas which is non-uniformly introduced into thegas buffering chamber 12 may be diffused into thegas buffering chamber 12 while blocked and buffered by the deploymentpressure distribution panel 120. - As such, the gas buffered and diffused in the
gas buffering chamber 12 may be introduced to theflow stabilization chamber 13 through a plurality of distribution holes 121 formed in the deploymentpressure distribution panel 120. Since the gas in thegas buffering chamber 12 is distributed through the plurality ofdistribution holes 121 and introduced into theflow stabilization chamber 13, the gas flow into theflow stabilization chamber 13 may not be concentrated on one side, but uniformly performed across the entire connection portion to the deploymentpressure distribution panel 120. - The deployment
pressure distribution panel 120 may be installed in thefront chamber 11 so as to divide thegas buffering chamber 12 and theflow stabilization chamber 13. The plurality of distribution holes 121 formed through the deploymentpressure distribution panel 120 may serve as paths through which the gas in thegas buffering chamber 12 is introduced into theflow stabilization chamber 13. The gas in thegas buffering chamber 12 may be uniformly distributed through the plurality ofdistribution holes 121 and introduced into theflow stabilization chamber 13. - The gas in the
flow stabilization chamber 13 may flow to therear chamber 14 through theinner vent hole 21 formed in themiddle panel 20. Theinternal tether 30 in accordance with the present embodiment may be connected to the middle portion of themiddle panel 20, and the plurality of inner vent holes 21 may be distributed and formed at both sides or edge of thefront chamber 11 with theinternal tether 30 interposed therebetween. The number and width of the inner vent holes 21 may be adjusted to control the deployment speed and contraction speed of therear chamber 14. - Thus, the gas flow from the
front chamber 11 to therear chamber 14 may be preferentially performed at the edge portion of themiddle panel 20 before the concave portion of themiddle panel 20, and the edge portion of therear chamber 14 may be preferentially deployed before the middle portion of therear chamber 14. Thus, when therear chamber 14 is initially deployed, the deployment shape of therear chamber 14 may be stabilized to form a concave shape in the forward direction. Thus, the flow pressure of the gas introduced into therear chamber 14 can be prevented from being directly applied to the head of thedriver 5. - The
front panel 110 may have outer vent holes 111 through which the gas in thecushion body 10 is discharged to the outside. When the upper body of thedriver 5 is loaded on thecushion body 10, the gas in thefront chamber 11 may serve as a buffer while being rapidly discharged through the outer vent holes 111. The number and width of the outer vent holes 111 may be adjusted to control the contraction speed of thecushion body 10. Furthermore, the outer vent holes 111 may be formed in theflow stabilization chamber 13 of thefront panel 110, which makes it possible to prevent the gas in thecushion body 10 from being discharging toward thedriver 5. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , theinternal tether 30 in accordance with the present embodiment may include anextension portion 31, afront connection portion 32 and arear connection portion 33. - The
extension portion 31 may be formed in a string or panel shape to cross thefront chamber 11 in the forward and backward direction. Thefront connection portion 32 for connecting theextension portion 31 to thecushion body 10 may be formed at the front of theextension portion 31 and coupled to the deploymentpressure distribution panel 120. Therear connection portion 33 for connecting theextension portion 31 to themiddle panel 20 may be formed at the rear of theextension portion 31 and coupled to the middle portion of themiddle panel 20. - The length of the
extension portion 31 may be adjusted to control the concaveness of the middle portion of themiddle panel 20. Theextension portion 31 may be extended to decrease the degree in concaveness of themiddle panel 20, or shortened to increase the degree in concaveness of themiddle panel 20. As the length of theinternal tether 30 is adjusted to various values, the concaveness of themiddle panel 20 may be suitably controlled according to the behavior of thedriver 5, which is differently simulated depending on the vehicle model or specification. - In the
cushion 3 for thedriver airbag apparatus 1 in accordance with the present embodiment, thecushion body 10 deployed between thesteering wheel 4 and thedriver 5 may be divided into thefront chamber 11 and therear chamber 14, and theinternal tether 30 which divides thefront chamber 11 and therear chamber 14 may restrict the backward motion of the middle portion of themiddle panel 20. Thus, when thecushion 3 is deployed, the portion of themiddle panel 20, corresponding to the head of thedriver 5, may form a concave shape in the forward direction. - Therefore, when the
front chamber 11 and therear chamber 14 are sequentially deployed, therear chamber 14 may be initially deployed in a concave shape corresponding to themiddle panel 20. Thus, although the head of thedriver 5 is rapidly tilted forward when the AEB system is operated, thecushion 3 for thedriver airbag apparatus 1 can stably reduce an injury in neck of thedriver 5, which may occur when the head of thedriver 5 is tilted backward while coming in direct contact with thecushion body 10. - Although embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims (11)
1. A cushion for a driver airbag apparatus, comprising:
a cushion body deployed between a steering wheel and a driver, and comprising a front chamber contacted with the steering wheel and a rear chamber coming in contact with the driver;
a middle panel installed in the cushion body so as to divide the front chamber and the rear chamber, and having an inner vent hole through which gas is introduced from the front chamber to the rear chamber; and
an internal tether arranged in the front chamber, and restricting the backward movement of the middle panel such that the middle panel forms a concave shape in the forward direction when the cushion is deployed.
2. The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the cushion body comprises:
a front panel contacted with the steering wheel, and having an outer vent hole through which gas in the front chamber is discharged to the outside; and
a rear panel arranged at the rear of the front panel, and facing the driver.
3. The cushion of claim 2 , wherein the middle panel is arranged between the front panel and the rear panel.
4. The cushion of claim 3 , wherein the edge portions of the front panel, the middle panel and the rear panel are connected to each other in a state where the front panel, the middle panel and the rear panel are sequentially overlapped.
5. The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the front chamber comprises:
a gas buffering chamber to which gas is introduced from an inflator; and
a flow stabilization chamber to which the gas in the gas buffering chamber is distributed and introduced.
6. The cushion of claim 5 , wherein the cushion body comprises a deployment pressure distribution panel installed in the front chamber so as to divide the gas buffering chamber and the flow stabilization chamber.
7. The cushion of claim 6 , wherein the deployment pressure distribution panel has a plurality of distribution holes formed therein, and the gas in the gas buffering chamber is introduced into the flow stabilization chamber through the distribution holes.
8. The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the internal tether comprises:
an extension portion arranged in the front chamber, and extended in the forward and backward direction;
a front connection portion formed at the front of the extension portion, and coupled to the cushion body; and
a rear connection portion formed at the rear of the extension portion, and coupled to the middle panel.
9. The cushion of claim 8 , wherein the extension portion has an adjustable length.
10. The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the internal tether is positioned at the middle portion of the front chamber, and
the inner vent hole is formed at both sides of the front chamber with the internal tether interposed therebetween.
11. The cushion of claim 1 , wherein when gas is supplied to the cushion body from an inflator, the front chamber and the rear chamber are sequentially deployed.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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KR10-2015-0107446 | 2015-07-29 | ||
KR1020150107446A KR102290050B1 (en) | 2015-07-29 | 2015-07-29 | Cushion of driver airbag apparatus |
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US20170028957A1 true US20170028957A1 (en) | 2017-02-02 |
US9902360B2 US9902360B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 |
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US15/211,882 Active US9902360B2 (en) | 2015-07-29 | 2016-07-15 | Cushion for driver airbag apparatus |
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KR (1) | KR102290050B1 (en) |
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CN109738205A (en) * | 2019-01-09 | 2019-05-10 | 清华大学 | The occupant restraint method of integrated vehicle automatic emergency brake and air bag system |
JP2020037382A (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2020-03-12 | オートリブ ディベロップメント エービー | Air bag device |
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US10343643B2 (en) * | 2017-03-29 | 2019-07-09 | Nio Nextev Limited | Airbag deployment trajectory control mechanism and method |
US10507783B2 (en) | 2017-09-13 | 2019-12-17 | Nio Usa, Inc. | Adaptive backup structure for airbag support |
JP7400764B2 (en) * | 2021-03-29 | 2023-12-19 | 豊田合成株式会社 | air bag device |
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Also Published As
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US9902360B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 |
KR20170014322A (en) | 2017-02-08 |
KR102290050B1 (en) | 2021-08-13 |
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